Ministry of Defence26-April, 2010 19:52 IST

Promotion Prospects for PBOR

Government has not restricted promotion opportunities for the Personnel Below Officers Rank
(PBOR) in the Armed Forces. The Government has, in fact, improved the career prospects by
approving grant of three Assured Career Progression (ACP) to PBOR at 8, 16 and 24 years of
service as against three Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPs) for the Central
Government Civilian Employees at 10, 20 and 30 years of regular service. At the time of each
financial upgradation under ACP, the PBOR would get an additional increment and next higher
Grade Pay in hierarchy.

Army: PBORs (including Jawans) are eligible for grant of commissioning into Officer
Cadres through various In Service entries i.e. Army Cadet College (ACC) / Special
Commissioned Officers (SCO) / Permanent Commission Officers (Special List) [PC(SL)].

Navy: Adequate promotion avenues exist through time based, roster based and
selective promotion for sailors. Promotion upto the rank of Leading Seaman/equivalent for non-
Artificers and upto the rank of Artificer 3 rd class for artificers are time based. Roster based and
selective promotions are for higher ranks against the available / anticipated vacancies.
Promotion avenues also exist for sailors to be promoted to officer rank through the Commission
Worthy Scheme and the Special Duty List Scheme.
Air Force: A PBOR during his service career can be promoted upto the rank of Master
warrant Officer (MWO) subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria and availability of vacancies.
Number of PBORs including Jawans promoted to Senior Officers post in the three
services of the Armed Forces during the last three years is as under:

Navy
Air
Year Army*
Force Commission Worthy Special Duty List
Scheme Scheme

200
159 94
7

200
139 64 54 82
8

200
205 59
9

* Excluding Army Medical Corps and Army Dental Corps

Government proposes to review the promotion policy for PBOR to ensure greater
opportunities for PBORs. In the Army, review of the promotion policy for PBOR is under process
to ensure better opportunities. A cadre review for the PBOR has been ordered in May 2009.
The Navy is also working on a proposal for cadre restructuring of sailors, which would enhance
their promotional avenues.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri
Arjun Ray in Lok Sabha today.